Tea and Horse Road in Yunnan
A 14-day traverse of the ancient Tea and Horse Road in Yunnan, from Kunming to Shangri-La, among Tibetan mountains, minority villages and Buddhist monasteries.
Description
The ancient Tea and Horse Road connected southwest China with Tibet for centuries. This two-week itinerary runs Yunnan from south to north, from the capital Kunming to the Tibetan border at Shangri-La, crossing landscapes that shift from subtropical to high plateau. You will visit Kunming's Stone Archways, the Stone Forest (a World Heritage site) and the beautiful old city of Dali with its Three Pagodas and Erhai Lake. In Lijiang you explore its UNESCO World Heritage old town and Black Dragon Pool Park. The route then climbs through Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest canyons, with hikes among cliffs. The journey culminates in Shangri-La (Zhongdian), former capital of the Tibetan kingdom of Gyalthang, visiting the Songzanlin Monastery and losing yourself in the Tibetan culture of the lamas. Lodging in local guesthouses, transport by bus and train, street food. Acclimatisation to the altitude is required (Shangri-La sits at 3,300 m).
Health & safety
- The altitude in Shangri-La (3,300 m) can cause mountain sickness
- Drink only bottled water
- Bring mosquito repellent for lower areas
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Kunming
Kunming
Arrival in Kunming
Arrival in the City of Eternal Spring. Stroll through Cuihu Park and dinner of crispy rice noodles.
Walk through Cuihu Park
Nature2hGuoqiao mixian dinner
gastronomy1hStone Forest
Shilin
Stone Forest
Excursion to the Stone Forest, a karst World Heritage formation. Return to Kunming.
Exploring the Stone Forest
Nature6hVisit to the Dounan flower market
Culture2hKunming to Dali
Dali
Kunming to Dali
Bullet train to Dali (2h). Afternoon exploring the walled old city.
Walk through Dali's old city
Culture3hClimb to the South Gate
Culture1hErhai Lake and the Three Pagodas
Dali
Erhai Lake and the Three Pagodas
Bike ride around Erhai Lake. Visit to the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.
Cycling along the Erhai lakefront
Sports4hVisit to the Three Pagodas
Culture2hShaxi market
Shaxi
Shaxi market
Bus to the Shaxi valley, an old stop on the Tea and Horse Road. Traditional Bai market.
Exploring the village of Shaxi
Culture3hWalk to the Shibao temples
Nature3hShaxi to Lijiang
Lijiang
Shaxi to Lijiang
Bus to Lijiang. Afternoon in the UNESCO World Heritage Dayan old town, canals and bridges.
Walk through Lijiang's old town
Culture3hNaxi braised pork dinner
gastronomy1hBlack Dragon Pool Park
Lijiang
Black Dragon Pool Park
Morning in Black Dragon Pool Park with views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Naxi museum.
Visit to Black Dragon Pool Park
Nature2hNaxi Dongba culture museum
Culture2hBaisha village
Baisha
Baisha village
Bike ride to Baisha village. 15th-century Buddhist murals. Preparation for the trek.
Visit to the Baisha murals
Culture2hGear preparation for the trek
Sports1hTiger Leaping Gorge - day 1
Qiaotou
Tiger Leaping Gorge - day 1
Start of the 2-day trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge. Hike to Naxi Guesthouse.
Trekking the 28 Turns
Sports5hRest at Naxi Guesthouse
Rest2hTiger Leaping Gorge - day 2
Tina's Guesthouse
Tiger Leaping Gorge - day 2
Trekking continues. Descent to the Tiger Leaping Rock and transfer to Shangri-La.
Descent to Tiger Leaping Rock
Sports3hTransfer to Shangri-La
Culture2hSongzanlin Monastery
Shangri-La
Songzanlin Monastery
Visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist complex outside Tibet.
Tour of Songzanlin Monastery
Culture4hKora around the monastery
Culture1hPudacuo National Park
Shangri-La
Pudacuo National Park
Excursion to Pudacuo National Park: alpine lakes, meadows and rhododendron woods.
Hiking in Pudacuo
Nature5hPicnic with plateau views
gastronomy1hDukezong old town
Shangri-La
Dukezong old town
Last day in the old town of Dukezong. Giant golden prayer wheel on Guishan Hill.
Walk through Dukezong
Culture2hTurning the giant prayer wheel
Culture1hTibetan momo dinner
gastronomy1hReturn from Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Return from Shangri-La
Free morning for shopping of Tibetan handicrafts. Return flight from Diqing.
Shangri-La morning market
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